Fabian | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Rome | |
 Saint Fabian and Sebastian by Giovanni di Paolo (c. 1450). Fabian wears an anachronistic papal tiara | |
| Church | Early Church |
| Papacy began | 10 January 236 |
| Papacy ended | 20 January 250 |
| Predecessor | Anterus |
| Successor | Cornelius |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Fabianus |
| Died | 20 January 250 Rome, Roman Empire |
| Sainthood | |
| Feast day | 20 January (Catholic Church, Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion) 5 August[1] (Orthodox Church) 7[2] & 11[3] Meshir (Coptic Christianity) |
| Venerated in | Catholic Church Eastern Orthodox Church Oriental Orthodoxy Anglican Communion |
| Attributes |
|
Pope Fabian (Latin: Fabianus) was the bishop of Rome from 10 January 236 until his death on 20 January 250,[4] succeeding Anterus. A dove is said to have descended on his head to mark him as the Holy Spirit's unexpected choice to become the next pope.[5] He was succeeded by Cornelius.
Most of his papacy was characterized by amicable relations with the imperial government, and the schism between the Roman congregations of Pontian and Hippolytus was ended. He divided Rome into diaconates and appointed secretaries to collect the records of the martyrs. He sent out seven "apostles to the Gauls" as missionaries, but probably did not baptize Emperor Philip the Arab as is alleged. He died a martyr at the beginning of the Decian persecution and is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church.[4][5]
- ^ "Άγιος Φάβιος ο Ιερομάρτυρας επίσκοπος Ρώμης Ορθόδοξος Συναξαριστής" (in Greek).
- ^ "Commemorations for Amshir 7: The Martyrdom of St. Fabianus (Fabrianus), Pope of Rome". Coptic Orthodox Church Network. St. Mark Coptic Church. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ "Commemorations for Amshir 11: The Martyrdom of St. Fabianus (Fabrianus), Pope of Rome". Coptic Orthodox Church Network. St. Mark Coptic Church. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
- ^ a b Meier, Gabriel (1909). "Pope St. Fabian". The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 5. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
- ^ a b Pirlo, Paolo O. (1997). "St. Fabian". My First Book of Saints. Sons of Holy Mary Immaculate – Quality Catholic Publications. p. 24. ISBN 978-971-91595-4-4.